About Klees Golf

Since 1910 when Charles Klees opened his doors across the street from Jackson Park Golf Course, Klees Golf Shop has played an important part in Chicago Golf History. By offering expert fitting, great prices, a full selection of pro-line, used and mid-priced equipment, along with women's and junior clubs, Klees Golf Shop has served golfers for four generations

Today, we're located in Chicago's historic Beverly neighborhood at 104th and Western. We're only 20 minutes from downtown and close to I-57. Our service is nonpareil and our prices are usually as good as or better than what you'll find on the Internet! You don't need an appointment for club fitting and some repairs can be done while you wait. Feel free to call us at 773.233.4000 for more information about what's new.

We feature specials every month so sign up on our website to get an email about sales and club news.

Take a look at our history and recall some of the finest moments in golf!Klees Golf Through the Ages(A History of Golf in Chicago)

Take a look at our history and recall some of the finest moments in golf!

1898 - Two industrialists, Montgomery Ward and George Thorn, launch the Midlothian Country Club. At the turn of the century, the club offers 10 cottages and 35 sleeping rooms for overnight stays because it is 25 miles south of downtown Chicago

1899 - Jackson Park Golf Course debuts as Chicago's first public golf course and one of the first public courses in the country. Jackson Park is very near the University of Chicago in the Hyde Park neighborhood, about seven miles south of downtown. The IC commuter train runs close by connecting golfers from all over the city to Jackson Park, as well as to private clubs built in the south suburbs later on.

1899 - The Ellerslie Cross Country Club is organized with clubhouse and grounds situated at 91st and Western. This club is the predecessor to the Beverly Country Club.

1901 - Ravisloe Country Club, an exclusive club for German Jews opens in Homewood, IL.

1906 - The South Shore Country Club becomes an idyllic lake front retreat for the wealthiest of Chicago's movers and shakers. The grounds provide a private stable, beach, and golf course, and the Club is only a few miles south of Hyde Park via the train.

1903 - Ridge Country Club - at 103rd and Longwood Drive - forms an official charter for a Social Club with nine holes of golf, a charter membership of $25 and annual dues of $25.

1908 - Beverly Country Club is incorporated and takes over the building and grounds of the Ellerslie Country Club. BCC hires Donald Ross to redesign the course for eighteen holes, which stretch from 83rd to 91st Street along Western Avenue.

1908 - Idlewild Country Club opens in Flossmoor as an exclusive club for Russian Jews, which included Chicago titans Julius Rosenwald, Albert Loeb and Sidney Mandle among its founders.

April 1910 - Charles J. Klees and C.C. Chattell open Jackson Park Golf Shop in the corner building of 64th and Stony Island, across the street from Jackson Park. The shop offers custom made clubs with both the Chas. J. Klees and the CC Chattell cleek marks, lockers and club repair services.

June, 1914 - Midlothian CC hosts the U.S. Open golf championship, which was won by golf's original showman, the great Walter Hagen.

1915 - Olympia Fields Country Club is founded by a group of investors headed by prominent Chicago businessman, Charles Beach. Amos Alonzo Stagg, the legendary University of Chicago football coach, becomes the first President of the club.

September, 1915 - Charles Klees buys out C.C. Chattell's interest in Jackson Park Golf Shop and adds "Charles J. Klees Golf Shop" to the doors and awnings. From that time on all custom clubs are stamped "CHAS. J KLEES/CHICAGO." Charlie also expands his line to include manufactured clubs from Spalding, Wilson, and Kroydon.

1916 - Louisa Stegmeyer is employed at the shop to do the bookkeeping.

December 28, 1946 - The second Charlie Klees is born to John and his new wife, Mary Rita.

March, 1956 - The first Klees Golf Shop location at 64th & Stony Island burns down. The repair area in the basement is spared but almost none of the merchandise is saved. Louisa and John move the shop across the street for one year.

Fall 1957 - Louisa and John move the shop to 87th & Bennet in Chicago's South Shore neighborhood. The shop is at that location for ten years. Louisa dies in 1966.

1968 - John moves the shop to 87th & California, just a few blocks West of Beverly Country Club. Son Charlie has graduated from college and developed the skills of a master clubsmith from the Scottish club makers who left South Shore Country Club and worked for Klees Golf over the years.

1990 - Charlie becomes a full working partner with John, assuming most of the sales and merchandising functions.